Beloved Warrior Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Praise for Beloved Stranger

  “An absolutely stunning read, rich in historical details, fast-paced and riveting in suspense . . . An emotional tale that will leave you with a lump in your throat and a tear or two in your eyes. Potter brings together a cast of new and fascinating characters as well as old friends from the first book in this wonderful historically set series of the Maclean family.”—The Best Reviews

  “The action-packed story line moves forward at a fast pace, but it is the lead pairing that drives a fine return to the Maclean clan.”—Midwest Book Review

  Beloved Impostor

  “Ms. Potter has given us another thrilling drama. Every page proves the reason for her award-winning success . . . Beloved Impostor travels at a fast pace with outstanding characters and an expertly developed plot.”—Rendezvous

  “A wonderful Scottish tale wrought with emotion, tender in its telling and heart-wrenching in its beauty. Ms. Potter captures our hearts and gifts us with another beautiful story.”—The Best Reviews

  “[A] superb romance . . . It’s Potter’s unique gift for creating unforgettable characters and delving into the deepest parts of their hearts that endears her to readers. This is another masterpiece from a writer who always delivers what romance readers want: a love story to always remember.”

  —Romantic Times

  “The story was riveting, the execution and the telling of it and the characters involved showed spirit, courage, chemistry and mostly they had a heart and held on to hope. It held my interest and kept it.”—Pink Heart Reviews

  “Ms. Potter is a very talented storyteller, taking a much-used theme—lovers from warring families—and manipulating it, adding plenty of new ideas and twists, until the end result is the original, highly satisfying Beloved Impostor . . . Ms. Potter very adeptly whetted this reader’s appetite for more about these two Maclean brothers, but for now, there is Beloved Impostor, which I highly recommend.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  Dancing with a Rogue

  “Once again, Potter . . . proves that she’s adept at penning both enthralling historicals and captivating contemporary novels.”—Booklist (starred review)

  “Gabriel and Merry are a delightful pair . . . Patricia Potter has provided a character-driven story that her audience will enjoy.”—Midwest Book Review

  “An entirely engrossing novel by this talented and versatile author.”—Romance Reviews Today

  “Interesting and fresh.”—Affaire de Coeur

  The Diamond King

  “The story line is loaded with action yet enables the audience to understand what drives both lead characters and several key secondary players . . . a robust romantic adventure ... [a] powerful tale.”—BookBrowser

  The Heart Queen

  “This is a book that is difficult to put down for any reason. Simply enjoy.”—Rendezvous

  “Exciting ... powerful ... charming ... [a] pleasant page-turner.” —Midwest Book Review

  “Potter is a very talented author . . . If you are craving excitement, danger and a hero to die for, you won’t want to miss this one.”—All About Romance

  More praise for Patricia Potter and her bestselling novels

  “A master storyteller.”—Mary Jo Putney

  “Pat Potter proves herself a gifted writer as artisan, creating a rich fabric of strong characters whose wit and intellect will enthrall even as their adventures entertain.”

  —BookPage

  “Patricia Potter has a special gift for giving an audience a first-class romantic story line.”—Affaire de Coeur

  “When a historical romance [gets] the Potter treatment, the story line is pure action and excitement, and the characters are wonderful.”—BookBrowser

  Titles by Patricia Potter

  THE BLACK KNAVE

  THE PERFECT FAMILY

  THE HEART QUEEN

  THE DIAMOND KING

  BROKEN HONOR

  TWISTED SHADOWS

  DANCING WITH A ROGUE

  COLD TARGET

  BELOVED IMPOSTOR

  TANGLE OF LIES

  BELOVED STRANGER

  TEMPTING THE DEVIL

  BELOVED WARRIOR

  THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

  Published by the Penguin Group

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  South Africa

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  BELOVED WARRIOR

  A Berkley Sensation Book / published by arrangement with the author

  PRINTING HISTORY

  Berkley Sensation mass-market edition / April 2007

  Copyright © 2007 by Patricia Potter.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

  For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  eISBN : 978-0-425-21573-9

  BERKLEY SENSATION®

  Berkley Sensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  BERKLEY SENSATION
is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  The “B” design is a trademark belonging to Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  http://us.penguingroup.com

  Acknowledgment

  With many, many thanks to Vickie Mazzola for her tireless efforts, encouragement and friendship.

  Chapter 1

  Spain, 1514

  “Wed? To a man I do not know?”

  Juliana Mendoza couldn’t keep the horror from her voice as she faced her father.

  “You have always said you wish to see England,” her father reasoned.

  “To visit. My home is in Spain.”

  She glanced at her mother, who stood beside her husband. Juliana had never seen her look so sad, so defeated. She had known for years her parents’ marriage had not been a happy one, but this was different. She saw a new kind of fear in her mother’s eyes.

  “Madre?” Juliana pleaded. “No . . .”

  Her mother looked away, avoiding her eyes.

  “According to your uncle, he is young and well-favored,” her father said. “It will be a good marriage for you. Far better than I expected. Like your mother, you are too fair for Spanish tastes. But the Earl of Chadwick sees political advantages in this union with his son, Viscount Kingsley, and it will be beneficial to our shipping trade.”

  She winced at the statement. It was not the first time that her father had disparaged her mother’s blond hair and her own, which was more the shade of honey. After her mother failed to produce a male heir, he had become more and more brutal and insulting. She feared for her mother, which was one reason she did not want to leave Spain.

  Nor did she wish to be trapped in a marriage like her mother’s own arranged union. “Can he not come to Spain?” she said desperately. “He may not favor me.”

  “He has already agreed,” her father said. “Our families have planned this alliance for years.”

  “But with his brother,” her mother intervened in a soft voice.

  She received an angry stare from her husband. “His brother is dead,” he said. “Chadwick does not want to risk another son here in Spain. Juliana is to be delivered to their property in northern England for the betrothal announcement. The marriage will be in London several months later.”

  Juliana had known her father expected a match with the influential Earl of Chadwick’s family. Not only was her mother a distant cousin of the earl, the two families had extensive financial and shipping relationships.

  Juliana had hoped that the death of the earl’s oldest heir would end the prospect of marriage with a man she didn’t know in a country far from all she knew and loved. Foolish wish, indeed, but she had seen the horror of an arranged marriage. Her beautiful mother had faded into a timid shadow.

  “Both King Henry and King Ferdinand favor the match,” her father continued. “They want to strengthen ties between our countries. The French still plot with Scotland.”

  Juliana did not care what the kings wanted.

  She did not want to leave her mother. She did wish to wed, but she desperately wanted someone of her own choice. She adored children and wanted some of her own, but she wanted a happy place for them to grow. Not a place of fear.

  Now she had no choice. Her only purpose in life, apparently, was to enrich her father . . . to tie Spain to England . . . to be a dutiful daughter and do as she was told.

  “Can Madre go with me?” she pled.

  “No,” her father said sharply. “She stays here. Go now. You have much to do. You will sail in two weeks. I have sent for dressmakers. You must be presentable. I would not want you to shame this family.”

  She hesitated, wanting to protest again, but she saw her mother shake her head and she held her tongue. She met her father’s gaze directly, then lifted her chin with as much dignity as she could summon and turned toward the door.

  Juliana softly pulled the door closed behind her but did not shut it completely. She lingered, knowing her father would have further words with her mother.

  “Do not do it,” her mother said, and a chill went through Juliana. She knew the courage it took for her mother to oppose her father. “Garrett was a good match. A gentleman. But Harry . . . I knew him when he was a boy. He was vicious. A bully.”

  “Do you believe I care? You are talking about the next Earl of Chadwick, heir to a vast shipping fortune,” Luis Mendoza said. “Juliana is a fortunate girl.”

  “His brother, Garrett, should have been earl. And Juliana’s husband.”

  “Garrett is dead. The match has much to offer us. Chadwick has markets closed to us, and we are heavily indebted. We need those markets, and we need trade with England. If I snub Chadwick, we will lose that trade.” He paused. “And we need Ferdinand’s continued favor. He fears an alliance between France and England. He wants his sister, King Henry’s wife, to have a friend at court.”

  “Please,” her mother begged with a persistence that was rare. The chill Juliana felt spread throughout her. Her mother rarely disagreed with her husband, and when she did, the consequences were harsh.

  She heard a familiar slap, and she stepped away from the door. Juliana knew from experience that interference would only infuriate her father more and bring more blows to her mother.

  She heard steps and quickly moved away from the door. She felt sick. Juliana had been trained since childhood to please and obey her father. Any rebellion brought about harsh consequences for herself, but even worse ones for her mother. Her love for her mother was his weapon. A weapon he would use with no remorse.

  Juliana turned to head toward her room. What would her mother do without her? She was her mother’s only reason for living. And now . . .

  Juliana fought back tears.

  “Senorita?” Carmita said shyly. “Are you in need?”

  Juliana shook her head silently. The young girl had just recently been promoted to maid and was still uncertain in her duties. Would she be allowed to take Carmita with her? Or would that be unfair to the girl?

  “No,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

  “Do you wish me to help you dress for dinner?”

  Juliana did not want to go to dinner. She did not want to see her father. She feared she could not hold her tongue and that would provoke him to more violence.

  But she nodded and sighed in resignation. She would dress for the evening meal for her mother. Just as she would go to England for her mother.

  “ONE last canter, Madre,” Juliana urged. “Our time is short.” Her mother nodded and they both led their horses along the golden sands of the beach.

  The days had gone far too quickly. Juliana dreaded the passing of every hour.

  She would sail in two days’ time. Her father had left to inspect the cargo of the ship. He and his brother, Rodrigo, owned a fleet of such ships. Tio Rodrigo would captain the ship that delivered her to Chadwick’s castle in the north of England.

  Ahead of her, Juliana’s mother reined her gelding to a halt. Juliana drew up Joya, her Andalusian, as well. The salty spray of the ocean and the crisp breeze did nothing to lighten either of their spirits. Her mother turned toward Juliana and handed her a small leather pouch.

  “What is it?” Juliana asked, accepting the bag from her mother’s gloved hand.

  “Jewelry and some coins. Go, Juliana,” she said with sudden intensity. “Take Joya to the next town and hire a coach to Portugal, then take passage to England. My sister will find somewhere safe for you to go.”

  “Is Viscount Kingsley so bad, then?”

  “He was as a lad,” she said, her eyes clouding. “I remember too much. He used to like . . . hurting animals.”

  “And you? What will happen to you? Father will know you helped me.”

  “If I know you are safe, I will be happy.”

  “But you will not be safe.” Juliana had witnessed, or heard, too many blows delivered by her father to her mother. She had received some as well. Her mother had not produced a male heir, and she never stopped suffe
ring because of it. Juliana knew the courage inherent in this single act. If her father discovered she’d helped her daughter spoil his plans . . .

  It was a risk Juliana would not accept. She would not take her freedom at the expense of her mother’s life.

  “Not unless you come with me,” she said, holding tight to her mother’s hand.

  “I cannot. In the eyes of God, I am his wife. She steadied her gelding as the horse pawed the ground, anxious to run again.“Your padre could not bear the shame of his wife running away. He would scour the earth searching for both of us.”

  Juliana knew it was true. Her father was a proud and vindictive man. Still, she tried to convince her mother. “Your family . . .”

  “They arranged the marriage. Nothing to them is more important than the sanctity of marriage. My sister might be able to help you secretly, but for me, no.”

  “Then I cannot run away, either,” Juliana said. She reached and brushed away a tear from her mother’s cheek. “The cost is too great, Madre. I must marry the Viscount Kingsley.”

  Chapter 2

  HEAVE! Lift! Heave! Lift! Heave! Lift!

  Heave! Lift!

  Sweat dripped down Patrick Maclean’s face, mingling with that on his body.

  He tightened his grip on the splintery oar and heaved his weight forward, then pulled it back toward his scarred chest. His body strained to lift the oar in concert with the other prisoners on the bench, then plow it through the water.

  Heave! Lift!

  Denny, the man next to him, faltered, and Patrick willed himself to take on the added weight. He couldn’t let the guards realize Denny struggled. His back was already worse than Patrick’s own. The man’s inability to comprehend orders made him a constant target.